VA Appalachian Trail three season list. Please help me fill in the gaps and lose some more weight
on 05/23/2011 22:44:40 MDT

Here is my list so far some of the stuff I currently own the others I am acquiring. Please any suggestions on stuff that is missing besides clothes because I don't have all those on a list at the moment. There are three things at the moment I don't want to change. One is my tarptent as I like the full protection from critters. Two is canister stoves for me are the most convenient, and lastly I am open to some changes with sleeping arrangements but I have done the 3/4 ridgerest and pack and I can say that I am extremely excited about never doing it again. In other words I don't mind giving up half a pound if it means I will be more comfy through the night. Thanks for your input.

Re: VA Appalachian Trail three season list. Please help me fill in the gaps and lose some more weight
on 05/24/2011 05:14:49 MDT

I use a Montbell #3 and add clothing if needed in colder temps. You could save weight in your water bottles. I use platy's or reuse water bottles. I use NeoAir or Kookabay SAM pads and add a GG foam pad if needed for lower temps, lighter and very comfortable. I have a Sublite and love it but have not used it in 24 hour heavy rain, only in Big Bend. I think the Sublite Sil might be better for that. I use a Soto stove and my total kit: Wendy's spoon, Starbucks coffee cup, pot and bowl + stove is 9 ounces without full fuel can. You have a wide range of temp from summer in Georgia to Oct or April in Maine.

Howdy. I backpack in the same area and have a pretty similar gear list. A couple things I did to cut wait:

-Pack. Switch to a lighter pack than than the Jam2. I went MLD and got a Burn, but if you don't think you can fit everything in there, the Prophet might work better. You could save up to 10 oz. with the Burn and I think it is a more comfortable and superior pack to the Jam2.

-Shelter. Seriously consider a lighter shelter option, or splurge for a really fancy cuben complete protection shelter of some sort (Lightheart Solo, Hexamid, Duomid with bug netting, etc.). I thought I would never give up the tent-like protection but the freedom and skillset of using a 4 oz. tarp and 6 oz. bivy for 10 oz. of total bug and weather protection is so cool and light (I do use a Duomid for more difficult weather). If you can borrow someone's set up and play with it for a trip, you might realize the weight savings and flexibility of this duo might be worth it for you.

-Pad. I recently grabbed a Neoair small (9 oz.) and put my pack under the bottom of my legs. Surprisingly, it works. I get the full torso comfort of the Neoair while shedding quite a few ounces.

-Quilt. Quilts are cool, particularly in the summer. I have a Nunatak Arc Edge -- 11 oz. which keeps me warm down to 40 degrees and packs down to nothing. A JRB Stealth would work great too -- and you'd be supporting another VA-based business.

-Random Things. You could probably lose another pound by some austerity measures with your water bottle selection, fire starters, pillow, seat, etc. but if you enjoy all those things, all the better. I just considered getting a UL pillow after spending a few years sleeping on my shoes, clothes, nothing, etc. I might sleep better.